Available on the SCIS website at www.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections

ISSUE NO. 97 | TERM 2 2016 ISSN 1440-2089 1,000 reasons to support Australian book creators Dear Jackie French, What I have learned from your book is to be wary of anyone who tries to make you angry. Love James James was 14, and Hitler’s Daughter was the first book he had ever read. Yet he had found the truth behind a question I had been hunting for ever since I was ten years old: how did Hitler convince most of Europe that killing over 44 million people was reasonable, from those shipped to concentration camps to prisoners who had surrendered? It is a joy and a privilege to receive letters from children. It also takes at least a day — sometimes up to two weeks — to answer them, plus stationery and postage costs, and the odd hour of anguish worrying about their problems. in this issue But there are royalties from the books to compensate for this time, aren’t there? Except, of course, if your books are read in page libraries — and when your readers are children, most of the books they read are likely to be from their school library. How long does a book last in a school library? I’ve signed 3 SCIS is more twenty-year-old copies of Rainstones, repaired with dedication 4 Library makerspaces: revolution at least fifty times and still in currency despite having been read or evolution? by perhaps over 1,000 children — not all of whom wrote to me in the manila envelopes writers both love and dread. 6 Exploring time and place through children’s literature Dear Jackie French, I have to write a story and I don’t know where to start. 8 Country to Canberra: empowering Can you give me some ideas? rural girls But can a book be measured in dollars? Every book a child reads 10 The professional learning hat creates new neurons in their brain. Empathy is learned, and each book teaches them to understand others — and themselves. If 12 Website and app reviews we want our children to create machines to mine asteroids or 14 What’s so special about Special design ways to cure our wobbly knees, we give them books. Order Files? Make sure to give them great books: hilarious books, enthralling 15 Finding Scootle resources that books, or deeply insightful books, because ‘boring books’ turn support the Australian Curriculum

Read more on page 2 1,000 reasons to support Australian book creators (cont.) kids into anti-readers. It is easy to write a that most children’s authors manage to Nicole Richardson book: nearly every parent creates stories buy their coffee and muesli, pay their Communications & Projects for their children. But the ‘magic book’ mortgage — and keep creating books. Coordinator, SCIS that tempts those children into being true Education Services Australia Please, for the sake of every children’s readers is rare. Yes, you’ll find bestsellers book author you admire, for every by part-time authors, but think about children’s book you love, and for every the books written for young people that child who needs inspiration: join the ELR you truly treasure. I bet they have been Supporting surveys if you are given the chance so written by those who have devoted their that we can keep on writing, creating lives to writing — and to children. Australian teaching notes . . . and answering those Dear Jackie French, emails and letters. book creators I read I am Juliet. Then I read Dear Jackie French, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s Every year, the Department of Our teacher said we had to write words were funny at first, but then Communications and the Arts makes to our favorite author. My favorite I heard the music. payments to eligible book creators author is Roald Dahl. He’s dead Matilda. — including authors, illustrators and so I’m writing to you. What is your publishers, to name a few — for having Which brings me to those tattered favourite colour? What kind of car their work held in Australian school and copies, the ones lugged to book signings do you drive? How many brothers academic libraries. This program is called by teachers and librarians who are as and sisters do you have? the Educational Lending Right (ELR) — devoted to providing books to children Love Michael. a relative of the Public Lending Right as authors are. If a book costs $15, then scheme that sees similar compensation the author will receive five per cent, paid to book creators for having their i.e. 75 cents, which is about the cost of If you would like to arrange a free speaker- material held in public libraries. responding to one child’s letter. If that phone discussion with Jackie French regarding her books or writing, please contact: library book was bought from a book Holly Frendo, Publicity Manager, HarperCollins To gather a book count of titles held club at a discounted price, then the Publishers Australia in Australian school libraries, Schools author might receive only five cents — Email: [email protected] Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) or, increasingly, nothing at all if the book asks 600 randomly selected schools Image credits: was bought online from overseas, either to participate in a data collection survey, Kelly Sturgiss. Used with permission. from remaindered stock or cheaply with at least 300 schools required to printed by someone who doesn’t pay participate. royalties to writers. SCIS works with several library vendors Jackie French is an author, Libraries are filled with child gold, riches historian, and honorary wombat in Australia to create easy, for their lives and imagination, tempters (part time). She is also an straightforward data extraction software. to read more and more. Ephemeral Ambassador for the National Some of these will be built into your bestsellers, like movie tie-ins, rarely Centre for Australian Children’s library management system, and others last in libraries. Literature Inc, Patron for Speld Qld and the require a quick backup saved to a USB Youth Educational Support Service (YESS), for processing. This occurs in Term This means the best books are those Senior Australian of the Year, and Australian 4, and, on average, takes around five where one copy may be read by 1,000 Children’s Laureate 2014–15. minutes to complete. The book counts children, for 75 cents or less. are then collated and used as the basis Or, at least, this would be the case if it for payment to eligible authors and weren’t for the Educational Lending Right book creators. (ELR), the children’s authors’ life-saver. The Educational Lending Right provides With ELR, eligible creators are paid by the the resources needed for writers and Australian federal government for each book creators to continue to fill our copy in a school library1. It’s the way library shelves and our students’ minds 1 Estimated through an annual, national survey with great books. of school libraries. Eligible creators will receive an annual payment if their estimated book count is 50 books or more, and the payment is $100 or more. a quarterly journal by

SCIS Education Services Australia Ltd PO Box 177 Carlton South Tel +61 3 9207 9600 ABN 18 007 342 421 Victoria 3053 Australia Free call 1800 337 405 Level 5 440 Collins Street (Outside Melb metro) [email protected] Melbourne Victoria 3000 Fax (Aust only) 1300 780 545 www.curriculum.edu.au/scis/ Australia Fax +61 3 9910 9800 connections Ben Chadwick Manager, SCIS Education Services Australia

SCIS is more Welcome to Connections 97. It is a pleasure to introduce a new face in the SCIS team. In March we welcomed Doreen Sullivan to our cataloguing team in Melbourne. Doreen came to us with a long career in cataloguing, including work at RMIT and DA Direct. I’d like to thank our editor Nicole Richardson for her work on this issue. As always, I hope you find it entertaining, inspiring, and informative. From left, Paul du Temple from Wheelers Books, SCIS cataloguer Ann Duncan, Ben Chadwick and Rachel Elliott in New Zealand. SCIS professional learning Conversely, are there ‘library’ resources provides general material designators Barbara Braxton’s wonderful article on that live in other locations, distributed (GMDs) for this purpose, like page 10 highlights the importance of throughout the school? Do you integrate ‘videorecording’, ‘website’, or ‘electronic ongoing professional learning. From references to digital resources into resource’. However, as we continue SCIS’s perspective, the last couple of your physical collection, perhaps using to evolve our implementation of the months have been very heartening on QR codes? Resource Description and Access (RDA) this front. We saw a record number of cataloguing standards (in which GMD is attendees during our first-term webinar Are you defying Dewey and pulling not supported), this will not always be series, and received some great feedback. collections out for special placement? the case. Genre might be an obvious example in Rachel Elliott and I have recently the case of fiction, but in many cases As well as GMD, we currently support returned from a series of workshops in resources are reshelved to support the ‘Media Type’, ‘Carrier Type’, and Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch special events, units of work, or popular ‘Content Type’ fields introduced by RDA, where we had a wonderful time mixing topics. Sometimes these collections and we are curious about how you and with our New Zealand subscribers. There involve a mixture of fiction and non- the library systems you use choose to are plenty of other opportunities for fiction, or a mixture of resource types. display and use this data when there is professional development with SCIS this They might be temporary, or they may be no longer a GMD. year, including a webinar series in Term 3, permanent ‘non-fiction genre’ groupings, and workshops in Melbourne in May, and Of course, along with shelving, other similar to the model that bookstores use. Brisbane and Perth in June. ‘things’ come into this discussion, Recently there has been some discussion including signage, stickers, spine labels, Resource management in in SCIS about how schools — primary and the catalogue itself. schools schools in particular — treat picture We want our data to support your Our New Zealand workshops gave me books that rhyme. Dewey says they are decisions and circumstances to the the chance to see some of the innovation poetry, but perhaps you put them in the fullest extent possible. Do you have going on in school libraries. At SCIS, we’ve fiction collection instead? 15 minutes to help us get a better become really interested in how you How do you split your resources understanding of your needs? We’re manage your school resources, whether up according to ‘type’? Multi-media running a survey until 30 May, and they are in the cloud, on the network, in collections are probably the most offering one respondent a $250 book the library, or elsewhere. Understanding obvious example. The size (or extent) of voucher. You can find the survey at the following scenarios will help us to books is another, with large folio works www.surveymonkey.com/r/scis_conn97. ensure our catalogue records remain often occupying their own dedicated We look forward to discovering more relevant and useful in the always evolving shelf spaces. about how your library works. landscape of the school library. Seriality is another consideration; do Do you manage resources on behalf serials have their own ‘spot’, or do you of the wider school, such as class think it makes sense to integrate them? The 'Architecture of Genre' article in Connections sets, teacher resources, or perhaps no. 96 has been edited at the author’s request multimedia or sports equipment? What How do you represent the ‘type’ of subsequent to publication. For the latest version, about digital subscription products? a resource in your catalogue? SCIS please refer to the online edition.

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 3 Chris Harte Chris Harte is a languages teacher, Google Certified Innovator, and design thinker. After spending Director 15 years working at schools in the UK and Australia, he is having a rest from teaching by running Unstuck Learning Design his own educational and design consultancy, Unstuck Learning Design.

Library makerspaces: revolution or evolution?

The makerspace movement is gaining of Australia’s Favourite School Library learning, but by curiosity, authentic momentum in the world of libraries, in 2014. Teacher librarians Jackie Child problem solving, and in-time learning. although it is not an entirely new and Megan Daley established a space One student wanted to create a cat’s concept. One of the first makerspaces to provide their students with authentic cradle as part of her maker project, and built specifically to invigorate the hearts, problems to solve, and the tools required instead of waiting for it to pop up on a hands, and minds of young inventors to solve them. unit plan, she jumped online, found a opened in 1876. Established by Thomas video tutorial, and taught herself. Jackie started out with a code club, Edison in the New Jersey hamlet of but inspired by the founder of Make Menlo Park, this space would become Magazine, Dale Dougherty, she decided known as the ‘Invention Factory’. to introduce the concept of hands-on From the Invention Factory came the learning to the students. Jackie recalls, phonograph, a long-lasting filament for ‘I used a Beano Annual and a roller skate an incandescent light bulb, an electric to create my own skateboard, but many train, and the plans to bring electricity to children now consume, throw away cities from central generators. This place and buy new things. I wanted to help fix was brimming with experimentation, this, to bring in sustainability, creativity hard work, failure, genius, and play. The and problem solving.’ Jackie proposed workers — or ‘muckers’ as they were the idea of combining the library space known — poured time and energy into with resources and technology to create their work, going far beyond the factory a makerspace. With the principal’s full model of nine-to-five labour, motivated support and her fellow teacher librarian by their immense passion for learning, on board, the adventure began. inventing, and making the world a better ‘With the ability to access materials place. Within six years, Thomas Edison through online databases for research, had filed 400 patents, and many of these we were able to reduce the number inventions have shaped our world today. of non-fiction books we held in print, We can find modern versions of the removed some of the shelves and sent A cardboard arcade game made in the school Invention Factory at Google’s X-Lab, the books to good homes, bought some library's makerspace. MIT’s Media Lab, and in a growing materials, and started the makerspace,’ number of library makerspaces around Jackie explains. One of the early maker Inspired by the wonderful story of Australia where people are encouraged projects used Elizabeth Matthews’ book Caine’s Arcade (www.youtube.com/ to learn by tinkering, building, Different like Coco as a starting point watch?v=faIFNkdq96U) — which is, in experimenting, and collaborating. for the students to create marble runs; a many ways, the ultimate maker project very hands-on approach to combining School libraries are continuing to evolve — Jackie and Megan helped to bring the building and learning to create a game. from the outdated notion that they are geography and history curriculum into The students were then given the simply repositories of knowledge stored their makerspace, challenging students freedom to choose their own book and within the bound pages of books. While to build their own cardboard arcade build their own marble run. the printed word may always remain games. The students built these games the beating heart of school libraries, the This freedom to choose is one of the using the information they had learned dynamism of taking that knowledge, things that distinguish makerspaces from about in class, with the intent of teaching playing with it, and building something traditional curriculum-driven classrooms. players about different countries. new is engaging the tinkerers of Jackie points out that ‘in contrast to While the incredibly positive outcomes Generation Z. a crowded curriculum, learning in the are self-evident, one may assume that makerspace has no formal assessment One such makerspace resides at St creating a makerspace is an arduous and is simply full of joy’. The outcomes Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School in Corinda, and resource-heavy undertaking, but for makerspaces are driven not by Queensland, which was the recipient standards, curriculum, and in-case

4 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 Jackie and Megan started small and and computational thinking, coding, allowed it to expand from there. They mathematics, humanities, the arts, began with simple, low-tech projects prototyping, and engineering — just that engendered the maker spirit, such as to name a few. All of the core skills, using copper tape to make circuits and knowledge, understanding, and mindsets light-up greetings cards, or having the that we consider key to our children’s prep students make beds for their teddy success can also be found and learnt bears. One prep student in particular was in a makerspace; students can learn exploding with pride when she presented resilience, as well as gain skills in problem the light cord she had built into her teddy solving, teamwork, and communication. bear’s bed design. Jackie and Megan explain that there is Jackie and Megan are now running more a truly holistic element to the learning projects with specific resources like Lego that happens in a makerspace: ‘Purpose. Mindstorm robots, 3D doodler pens and There is genuine joy, determination and 3D printing, which they do by using a persistence in the makerspace. If a child printer from the high school to design has to solve a problem using maths to Student and grandfather working with make a machine turn at right angles, they and print 3D Minecraft avatars. conductive dough at the Grandparent's Liturgy. 3D printing technology is becoming more will [take risks, and] they will persist to accessible, with some robust printers achieve their goal. As Mitch Resnick [the The conductive squishy dough was also selling at $500 and under in commercial Director of the Lifelong Kindergarten used in a project where students built outlets. Moreover, Jackie has noticed Group at the MIT Media Lab] says, kids light-up models to represent characters a whole new consumer trend in the 18 don’t ask to learn about variables in from Glenda Millard’s beautiful book months since creating their makerspace, coding, but if they build a game where The Duck and the Darklings. Jackie and with the big supermarkets starting to sell they need to keep score, they learn Megan shared this experience via Twitter, affordable maker kits as toys. about variables.’ and AnnMarie Thomas — a professor Despite having some specialist at the University of St Thomas whose Jackie and Megan have an old Chinese equipment, Jackie and Megan are TED Talk prompted the interest in the proverb visible across their library rekindling the sustainability values of the conductive dough — tweeted back, makerspace — ‘I hear and I forget, I see ‘frugal generation’ by encouraging their saying what a wonderful idea it was, and I remember, I do and I understand’ — students to scavenge, reuse, repurpose, and shared it with her followers. This is highlighting the active nature of learning and upcycle the materials they have. a great example of our young makers in makerspaces. creating global connections. As with anything educators organise for If you would like to read more about learners — especially in the hands-on Jackie and Megan’s work, you can environment of makerspaces — health head over to Jackie’s blog and safety is essential. Developing a (jchild.edublogs.org) and Megan’s respectful environment, and highlighting blog (childrensbooksdaily.com), or potential dangers such as small batteries you can connect with them on Twitter: being handled by young children, is a key @jackie_child and @daleyreads. part of the learning.

During the Grandparent’s Liturgy, Interested in creating your own students’ grandparents were invited makerspace? Keep an eye out for Students collaborating during the junior to come into the makerspace to school's Hour of Code. the Digital Technologies Hub, to celebrate their grandchildren’s learning. be published later this year, which Jackie and Megan set up a number of will provide information about What is next for this dynamic teacher activities for the grandparents, including makerspaces and more. Funded by librarian duo? ‘We would love to have vibrobots, scribble machines, circuit the Australian Government more concentrated time’, Jackie cards, and squishy conductive dough. Department of Education and Training, says. ‘Perhaps bring a Genius Hour of The grandparents were fully engaged the hub is designed to support dedicated maker time into the timetable. in learning with their granddaughters; the Australian Curriculum: Digital We are going to put on a before-school one grandparent even asked for a Technologies for Australian teachers, club to give the girls more [maker] time. soldering iron when he spotted a loose students and parents. We are also very excited that we are able wire connection, demonstrating his to expand our makerspace to include our keen enthusiasm to get involved. What own 3D printer.’ Image credits: a wonderful way to engage the wider community with the school, the library, Makerspaces provide students with the Jackie Child. Used with permission. the makerspace, and their own children’s opportunity to learn a range of skills creativity, problem solving, and learning. and meet a number of curriculum objectives, including digital technologies

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 5 Tania McCartney Tania McCartney simply loves books and words and pictures. If she could, she would live inside Author, illustrator, editor a book. As an award-winning author, illustrator and editor, she kind of already does. Tania is an ambassador for the ACT’s Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge 2016, and the founder of the Kids’ Book Review, and the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. Tania’s 22nd book is due for release in November 2016 and is also her first self-illustrated book. Exploring time and place through children’s literature

Books can enrich children’s lives of other cultures and traditions, but they won several awards, and was recently beyond measure. also shift the way they view their own shortlisted in the Western Australia Young worlds. These experiences shape who Readers’ Book Awards. Illustrator Tina Exposure to other people and cultures, they are, and who they become. Snerling and I have since gone on to whether directly or indirectly, does produce another six books in the A Kids’ extraordinary things to children. It opens Alas, we can’t always travel willy-nilly Year series, including An English Year their heads and crams wonderful things around the country or around the and A Scottish Year, which are doing well inside. It relaxes their hearts, softens world at whim, but something almost here in Australia. their emotional boundaries, and enriches as powerful as jumping on a plane and their minds with alternative ways of entering other lands, other cultures, I guess it should be no surprise, though, thinking and being. other places, and other times, is when as Australian children are not only we journey through the pages of a book. culturally diverse, they are some of the In a world that so often teeters on best-travelled in the world. They’re the intolerance and segregation, it’s vital for From picture books to biography, ultimate little adventurers, and love to children to be exposed to different ways encyclopaedias, non-fiction, and explore new worlds and cultures. They’re of thinking and being. It is also vital that historical tomes, exposing children inherently fascinated by the unusual, the this exposure happens at a young age to other countries and cultures does unknown, the ways of other people and and stretches across many and varied indeed encourage other ways of being times. They are fresh and ripe and open, multicultural experiences; before time, and thinking. Travelling into the past is which is why we need to open their eyes world-weariness, and bias have a chance also valuable, as it helps us understand to the world — the younger the better. to take root. where we have come from, who we are This is why I write for children, and why now, where we are going, and how we Immersion in other cultures stretches I write about the topics that I do: not can improve. the malleable brains of children in ways only to entrance and entertain, but also we can never truly imagine. Experiencing Again, we don’t need a time machine for to educate. new places and people, situations this — we just need a book. I spent almost 18 months researching and sights, foods and smells, are all I didn’t expect to write so many books and writing Australian Story: An Illustrated wonderful ways to take children outside with a multicultural and historical focus. Timeline for the National Library of their comfort zone and both enrich and I guess it’s no surprise since they are Australia. I knew that children would delight them. I believe this because I both topics dear to me, but it wasn’t a relish being picked up and tossed back have seen it first-hand, having both lived conscious decision. It all began when our through time, and to experience their overseas and travelled extensively with little family was posted to Beijing in 2005. country and a way of life so different my own children. from the now. From our First People When we arrived, two unexpected things I’ve watched my children’s heads through to settlement and in great happened: the first was that I fell head figuratively open wide and suck in the periods of early migration — from the over heels in love with China, and the nuance, tolerance and minutiae of life in Chinese of the Gold Rush to the post- second was that I became immensely other places. I’ve watched their palettes patriotic for Australia. When you live shift like a continental drift from Australia away from home, some kind of home- to China. I’ve watched their fears drip loving bug burrows under your skin. This from their sopping hair into the Indian is what inspired me to write the first of Ocean. I’ve watched their understanding my books in the multicultural vein. of human rights, privilege, and time- worn tradition echo in the halls of Notre I wrote An Aussie Year: Twelve Months Dame Cathedral and slip along the in the Life of Australian Kids not only to shores of Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia. take children on a journey through the Australian year, but also through the vast I’ve watched my children become multicultural elements that comprise entirely different people. These our country. After its publication in Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline, experiences not only expand our 2013, it went on to become a bestseller, by Tania McCartney. children’s tolerance and understanding

6 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 Ideas for exploring diverse books with students Research and source books that relate to one particular culture and use them to make a visual display, along with any relevant non-book objects. Ask students to bring in items they may have that relate to this culture, such as clothing, toys or foods. Children from a particular culture could share books or stories that they or their parents have grown up with. Children could also find relevant Illustrations from Tania McCartney's book, Australian Kids through the Years. stories and read them to the class, or draw pictures about them. war influx of Eastern Europeans, Western Children learn about their world through Display a variety of atlases and have Europeans, people from Asia and then the context of other people and other a world map or globe close by so the Middle East — this ‘time travelling’ beliefs, traditions and cultural practices. that students can explore a variety of book is rich in the cultural exploration We are social beings, so when children countries. Print out world maps that and self-realisation that children adore. value and respect these elements in students can colour in as they explore Learning about our own cultural roots, others, they are much more likely to each place. ancestry and traditions is a great way for develop a deeper sense of belonging children to make connections, and to and community. Feeling connected Scour encyclopaedias or fact books feel pride and comfort. to others makes us feel valued and and explore the main symbols of a respected, and it is also vital for our variety of countries — such as flags, Australian Kids through the Years, emotional and mental wellbeing. languages, national mottos, foods, another recent National Library book flora and fauna. illustrated by Andrew Joyner, was born Early childhood is the period when of a similar need to help children both children first become aware of their Explore books and songs in other define their own identity and appreciate differences, which is something that they languages or teach students how to and understand the identities of those naturally find fascinating. At this say hello in various tongues. around them. We are so fortunate in formative time in their lives, to encourage Australia to have an enriching stew an open mind and acceptance of of cultural influences that shape our these differences through exposure to References own ethnic identities. According to other times and cultures in books, is a Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011, ‘2011 our last Census figures, more than priceless gift. Census fact sheet’, ABS, www.abs.gov.au/ websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/2011%20 25% of Australians are born overseas In a nutshell, children who are Census%20Fact%20Sheet:+Ethnic. (ABS, 2012). Twenty per cent of consistently exposed to multicultural Australians have at least one parent Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012, books have broader minds and a deeper ‘Reflecting a nation: stories from who was born overseas, and more than understanding of both the self and others. the 2011 Census, 2012–2013’. ABS, 400 languages are spoken on our shores They have a greater willingness to explore www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/ (ABS, 2012; ABS, 2011). These figures Lookup/2071.0main+features902012-2013. and experience life to its fullest, and to alone are worth celebrating. pursue friendship, relationship, and career Image credits: With Australian Kids through the Years, opportunities that are not bound by Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline by I wanted to explore children from our prejudice, stereotypes, or limited thinking. Tania McCartney. © 2012 National Library First Peoples through to modern day. I of Australia. And, of course, global awareness is wanted to show our children how we Pages from Australian Kids through the Years necessary in this ever-shrinking world. have grown and developed over time — by Tania McCartney. © 2015 National Library The more cultural diversity children how what we wore, ate, read, and of Australia. interact with, the larger their world — played with has changed exponentially and opportunities — become. — yet so many of our core values and needs remain the same. I also wanted Culturally rich books provide more to highlight that many of these changes flavour for children, who naturally have and much of our growth as a nation fresh, young tastebuds and such a has been directly influenced by other voracious appetite for books and story. races and cultures. Like the blending of colours and flavours from the cultures all around us, it is a perfect combination.

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 7 Hannah Wandel Hannah Wandel is a social entrepreneur, gender equality advocate, and the founder and CEO CEO of the national not-for-profit organisation Country to Canberra. Passionate about creating Country to Canberra meaningful change, Hannah leads the Country to Canberra team to deliver mentorship and leadership opportunities to young women across rural Australia. Hannah was named one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review/Westpac in 2015. Country to Canberra: empowering rural girls

Five months ago, seven young women extant career and education opportunity it also stimulates equality discourse in were sitting around a boardroom table imbalances between the city and country. rural communities. inside Parliament House. They were Metropolitan students had greater access Excitingly, the winners of this competition laughing, chatting about life in rural to subject preferences, mentors, and receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Australia, and discussing the prestigious work experience, while many young ACT where they connect with university essay competition they had recently women were living in towns dependent mentors, build skills, and gain exposure won. As these teenagers excitedly on male-dominated industries. Further, to Australia’s political epicentre. To engulfed the room in conversation, it my rural peers faced greater financial provide tangible inspiration, the winners was easy to forget where we were: in the and emotional stresses if they wanted to also connect with high-profile female office of Australia’s Deputy Opposition attend university in a metropolitan area leaders at multiple events, in a bid Leader, Tanya Plibersek MP. Ms Plibersek away from their friends, family and home. to motivate more young women to had invited us to discuss key issues I was also incredibly passionate about take on leadership roles in their local with these bright young minds. In this combating the gender barriers faced communities. Foreign Minister Julie moment, I had to pinch myself — I by rural women. Australia has a 17.3% Bishop, the Nationals' Deputy Leader was so thrilled that the organisation gender pay gap (Workplace Gender Senator , Assistant Agriculture I had created, Country to Canberra, Equality Agency, 2016), only 30% Minister Senator Anne Ruston, Senator was successfully uniting generations of of our federal politicians are female , Senator , influential women. (McCann & Wilson, 2014), and issues federal members such as Gai Brodtmann like domestic violence, unconscious and Cathy McGowan, as well as Tanya bias and sexism are plaguing females Plibersek, have all been involved in our every day. Passionate about these Power Trips. Agriculture Minister Barnaby issues, and committed to ensuring that Joyce and Shadow Agriculture Minister all young women across rural Australia Joel Fitzgibbon have also spent time are empowered to lead and achieve, I inspiring and supporting our participants. founded Country to Canberra. When I ask the winners about the Led by a dedicated team of volunteers, highlights of their Power Trip, almost Country to Canberra delivers a number all of them mention our phenomenal of different programs across Australia to Powerful Women’s Breakfast. This is What is Country to Canberra? help young women achieve their goals. the first event held for the winners, Our main initiative is an essay competition and it is always intimate, special and Country to Canberra is a nationwide and Power Trip, which has reached engaging. Here, we bring together a not-for-profit organisation that aims to thousands of schools and has been mixture of politicians, not-for-profit empower young rural women to reach featured in scores of media publications. leaders, entrepreneurs and senior public their leadership potential. We inspire self- servants, such as Defence’s whip-smart confidence, build leadership skills, and, To qualify as rural, entrants’ schools Deputy Secretary Rebecca Skinner, and importantly, connect young rural women must be more than 50 kilometres away the delightful HerCanberra Editor-In- to mentors and role models in order to from a city with a population of over Chief Amanda Whitely. This breakfast help overcome gender and geographical 50,000 residents. gives the winners a casual yet exclusive barriers to success. Essay competition Power Trip opportunity to ask the female leaders The reasons that Country to Canberra about their leadership journey, and for Every July, Country to Canberra launches exists are simple, yet equally excruciating any pieces of advice. a national essay competition for rural for me to explain. You see, I loved high school girls in Years 10 and 11, The winners also get to practise their growing up on a farm in rural South asking them to write on a particular topic public speaking skills during an ABC Australia and admired my local linked to gender equality, empowerment, Radio interview, and they receive a community’s robust spirit. However, and leadership. Not only does this behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament at age 15, I moved away to boarding encourage young women to research, House and the Australian War Memorial. school, and it was there that I noticed write, and strengthen their literacy skills,

8 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 They also score amazing one-on-one meetings with high profile women, including and Tanya Plibersek, and are the guests of honour at an ‘Evening with Senators’ event in the parliamentary courtyards. I will never forget saying goodbye to each of our Power Trip participants as they prepare to board their flights back to their home towns. I have seen sixteen-year-old students shed tears of joy and have received countless emails Three of the 2014 winners with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (middle) and Country to Canberra from young women who were grateful founder Hannah Wandel (right). that we believed in their ability to thrive. and edited by our Blogger Team Director, also distribute our competition flyer Fortunately, we ensure that we stay who guides, mentors and supports the (set to be released in May 2016), and in touch with our participants to help participants. check out our website and social media them achieve their goals. During the for any additional information Power Trip, the winners are connected This program gives a voice to young (www.countrytocanberra.com.au). to university mentors through the women who might otherwise be isolated Raising Hope Education Foundation, due to distance. It helps to shed light on What is next for Country and are eligible for six Skype mentorship the issues and concerns faced by rural to Canberra? sessions. This guarantees that their teens, enhances discourse between Moving forward, Country to Canberra leadership skills are fostered after the rural and metropolitan communities, has big plans. We want to grow our Power Trip comes to a close. The top and showcases the important role that fundraising base, our volunteer pool, 15 winners and runners-up also have rural areas play in our nation. It also and the number of participants in our their essays published on the Country to connects the teenage team members, programs. We aim to expand on our Canberra website, which helps showcase helping them widen their professional current initiatives, and also introduce their writing talents on a national stage. and social networks beyond state lines. new programs, such as a leadership Lastly, after winning the competition, workshop series in rural schools called the young women form part of the How schools can get involved Project Empower. Country to Canberra alumni, giving them It has been heartening to hear about continued access to our network of teachers and librarians lending their To help us positively influence more mentors and fellow trailblazers. support to Country to Canberra by young women, we gratefully ask that spruiking the essay competition in their schools get behind our initiatives. If we all Since attending the Power Trips, our classrooms, libraries, and community band together, we believe that Country participants have gone on to achieve clubs. A survey of last year’s competition to Canberra can empower scores of great things, like speaking at national entrants indicated that the majority young women and create long-lasting mental health conferences, studying of applicants entered because their societal outcomes, such as more rural medicine, becoming a jillaroo, assuming teacher had encouraged them to give female board members and politicians, school captaincy, and much, much more. it a go. If you think that young female and a heightened understanding of Blogger Team students in your school would benefit equality discourse and related issues. from writing about equality, learning Importantly, by empowering our future Something that I am also incredibly proud about empowerment, or having their female leaders, we will generate a more of is Country to Canberra’s Blogger essays published, then I encourage you balanced, productive, and strengthened Team initiative. Separate to the essay to pass this opportunity on to them. Not rural Australia for the long term. competition and Power Trip, this program only could they win the Power Trip of a strengthens literacy skills and provides lifetime, but they would also receive a References an opportunity for young women to significant resume booster and enhanced McCann, J & Wilson, J 2014, ‘Representation speak their minds in a safe and supported self-confidence to articulate their of women in Australian parliaments 2014’, online community. The Blogger Team is , http://www.aph. opinions and ambitions. aimed at young women between 13–18 gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_ years of age who are eager to write If it fits within your school's curriculum, Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/ rp1415/WomanAustParl. punchy, thought-provoking articles about you can incorporate the essay writing their community, education, political as a classroom activity. Although the Workplace Gender Equality Agency 2016, affairs, and anything in between. The girls competition is only open to girls, boys ‘Gender pay gap statistics’, Australian Government, https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/ write a 300–600 word blog post each would deeply benefit from writing default/files/Gender_Pay_Gap_Factsheet.pdf. month, all of which are shared on our about equality and leadership issues, website and on social media platforms. as gender equality advances society as Importantly, students’ work is moderated a whole. Teachers and library staff can

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 9 Barbara Braxton Barbara Braxton is an experienced, qualified and passionate teacher librarian who has worked in Teacher librarian both NSW and the ACT. She is the author of the published series All You Need to Teach Information Cooma, NSW Literacy, and was a recipient of the Dromkeen Librarian’s Award in 2003. She has two blogs, 500 Hats (500hats.edublogs.org), focused on the practice of teacher librarianship, and The Bottom Shelf (thebottomshelf.edublogs.org), which reviews books aimed at children in preschool to Year 2. The professional learning hat The core of our mandate as teacher with diverse learning opportunities that whether anyone can assist with informal librarians is to enable our students to meet the needs, abilities and preferences training. Don’t limit yourself to face- become lifelong learners. of teachers. In other words, we must to-face delivery at conferences and do for ourselves what we do for our meetings, but look for webinars and free By teaching students, staff and other students. As library professionals, we online courses, as well as relevant books members of the school community wear many ‘hats’; the professional and articles. about the information literacy process learning hat is one we must put on in (500hats.edublogs.org/information- Even if you have been in your current order to grow. literacy-process), we provide them with position for many years, there is a scaffold that they can use in any area. Most education jurisdictions now require always something new to learn. It This allows them to find what they need annual logging and formal evaluation of may be worthwhile to stop, draw to know, whether it is solving a complex professional learning. This is based on a breath, and reflect on your role: mathematical problem or learning how formal plan that clearly states personal develop manifestos to encapsulate this, to start a motor mower. As teacher and corporate goals that identify the how, draw together your experiences and librarians, we often pride ourselves on when, where, and why of achievement. achievements, and provide a benchmark being lifelong learners — but are we? to reach. Such an exercise will ensure This may be a new concept to those your plans are true to your beliefs, will How many of us walk across the stage who focus on traditional teacher librarian help you set higher goals, and ensure at graduation, accept the certificate professional learning, which is centred you invest in the outcomes. Your plan that states we are now qualified teacher on nebulous goals such as increasing will require you to do more than merely librarians, and think, ‘that’s it, I’ve students’ love of reading, which is tick a box to satisfy school leadership; it completed my studies’, or believe that difficult to measure; or improving will be a well-thought-out plan to further the only way to grow professionally is circulation statistics, which reveal develop your role in the school. by attending teacher librarian-specific nothing beyond the number of times courses and conferences? How many a resource is checked out. To achieve a plan, it needs to be of us look at the requirements needed attainable but not overwhelming: Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T — specific, to progress our careers and think that three carefully chosen goals relating measurable, achievable, relevant, and they are too heavily focused on the to the domains of professional timely — and the best way to formulate classroom-based teacher and therefore knowledge, practice and commitment them is to consult formal documentation deem them irrelevant? From the should be sufficient. such as AITSL’s Australian Professional messages I read on the various teacher Standards for Teachers, and the Australian librarian networks I belong to, it would Ask yourself how achieving this goal will School Library Association’s (ASLA) seem that all too often this is the case. contribute to: Standards of Professional Excellence for Over the last few years, education in Teacher Librarians. These documents • Your personal professional growth Australia has changed significantly, in will help you to identify the areas where • The design and delivery of the part due to the establishment of the you need to improve your knowledge, curriculum for teachers and students Australian Institute for Teaching and practice and commitment. For Australian • The achievement of the library’s School Leadership (AITSL). All teachers teacher librarians, ALIA has mapped the vision, mission statements, and are now required to be formally AITSL standards to the teacher librarian strategic plan accredited, and to log a minimum of profession in Teacher Librarian Practice • The school’s plan for progress 20 hours of professional learning each for the Australian Professional Standards • The perception of the role of the year (100 hours over five years in NSW). for Teachers. teacher librarian within this learning This is because AITSL believes that community. You can then examine your a great education system starts with library’s vision statement, mission its teachers: ‘The best systems make Explicitly identify the elements of each statement, and strategic plan to identify sure that teachers and school leaders goal so success is even more likely. A what you anticipate the library to be like can become great as they progress professional learning plan may include in three years, and from there identify through their profession . . . [because] the goal, its purpose, the standards what professional learning is needed to people naturally want to grow, develop, addressed, and its relationship to school achieve this goal. If relevant professional and be successful’ (AITSL 2012). priorities. It can also include particular learning is not readily available, you can strategies, actions, resources, evidence For this to be achieved, there needs to be approach your professional network a commitment to professional learning, to see if there is a demand for it, and

10 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 Develop a detailed plan to share with STANDARDS RELATIONSHIP TO GOAL PURPOSE ADDRESSED SCHOOL PRIORITIES your school’s executive that not only demonstrates how your professional Strategy Actions Timeframe Resources Evidence of achievement learning is aligned with theirs, but also

Identify each What you need Short, medium, Human, Performance indicators shows that the teacher librarian’s role is strategy to be to do to satisfy long term financial, integral to their success. undertaken to the strategy physical, time Include milestones for achieve the goal long-term goals Put your plan into practice. Document it, seek evidence that it is having an impact, An example of a professional learning plan. Individual goals can be set for professional knowledge, and share this as part of your formal professional practice, and professional commitment. professional learning discussions with your executive. of achievements, and short, medium and • Individual: participants take part alone longterm timeframes. • Self-directed: participants choose the For many, professional learning remains a focus, pace and outcomes, as well passive process of attendance, listening, By clearly articulating your goal, the as monitor and evaluate their own and note-taking. However, by taking the reason you are focusing on it, and the progress and achievements opportunity to make a personal action professional standard it is addressing, • Personalised: learning focuses on the plan that you are committed to, it can you will demonstrate your understanding needs of the participant have meaning and momentum that really of and commitment to your need for • Situated: learning is within and geared contributes to the big picture. professional growth. Not only does this to the goals of the organisation underline the teacher librarian’s role If we are to encourage and enable • Offered: opportunities are made in the teaching and learning process, lifelong learning, then we must be lifelong available to the participants but it also increases your chances of learners ourselves. One way of doing this • Incentivised: learning is highly valued acquiring the resources — human, is by putting on our professional learning by the organisation and participants financial, physical, and time — needed hat and ensuring it is a snug fit. are given incentives to take part. to achieve your goals. If you are required to use a common pro forma, you can References If one of the purposes of professional add why particular goals were chosen, Australian Institute for Teaching and School learning is to build knowledge capital and address these in your formal Leadership (AITSL) 2012, ‘Long version – within the school, then teacher librarians professional learning animation AITSL’, conversation with your line manager. and other specialist teachers need to online video, https://www.youtube.com/ In her presentation ‘Revisioning the be part of the big picture. It can be watch?v=nRnstWGJwPU&feature=youtu.be school library program’, Anne Weaver difficult to see how matches can be AITSL 2014, 'Global trends in professional (2015) states, ‘Teacher librarians must made between the specialist roles learning and peformance & development', provide cutting edge library programs, and the school’s broader objectives. AITSL, http://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/ default-source/aitsl-research/insights/ using evidence-based practice, that For example, how does the teacher re00077_global_trends_in_professional_ focus on goals directly connected to librarian — whose role is traditionally learning_and_performance_-amp-_ school leadership priorities’. She argues perceived to be associated with English development_innovation_unit_may_2014. that if we do not deliver programs that and the humanities — fit within the pdf?sfvrsn=4 satisfy the school leadership and provide school’s goal to provide a greater focus Weaver, A 2015, ‘Revisioning the school a beneficial return on investment, then on STEM subjects (science, technology, library program’, Reading Power blog, 3 the teacher librarian position may be engineering, and mathematics)? June, https://readingpower.wordpress. put at risk. com/2015/06/03/revision-the-school-library/ Such an apparent ‘mismatch’ just needs In its publication ‘Global trends in some new thinking — for us to put on Article reprinted with permission. professional learning and performance a new hat and do some inquiry-based Please visit http://500hats.edublogs. & development’, AITSL (2014) examined homework. You may ask yourself: org/2015/06/08/the-professional- the features of innovative professional • What leadership and support can I learning-hat/ to view the original article. learning, performance and development. provide for teachers and students? This analysis showed that there is • What knowledge, experiences and a trend for individuals to undertake resources do I have to provide this professional learning that is collaborative, leadership and support? self-directed and informal; however, • What training do I need to further despite these platforms being valuable to support teachers and staff? individuals, it is not an all-inclusive way • How can I shape that learning into a for an organisation to leverage results personal goal using the professional and grow as a whole. AITSL (2014) found standards provided by AITSL, ASLA, that the most effective combinations for and ALIA? both the individual and the organisation • How can I demonstrate my learning were opportunities that were: and its contribution to the school’s growth?

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 11 Nigel Paull The internet sites selected in Website and app reviews are often of a professional nature and should Teacher librarian be initially viewed by teachers and library staff to South Grafton Public School determine suitability for students. The links, content [email protected] and address of these sites are subject to change.

Preparing for BYOT Scope: science television wazmac.com/ischools/preparing-for-byot for kids Website and As schools proceed further into the field www.csiro.au/en/Education/Scope of ‘bring your own technology’ (BYOT), Created by CSIRO and produced by app reviews there are a number of considerations Network Ten, this television show is Amazing world atlas that should be addressed. Warren aimed at primary students interested in McCullough has gathered pertinent science. Hosted by an engaging CSIRO itunes.apple.com/au/app/ information that teachers and scientist, each episode covers a facet of amazing-world-atlas-by-lonely/ administrators need to be familiar with, science that is found in everyday life. id916745147?mt=8 including how to establish a culture of The website also includes learning Intended for primary students, this trust, meaningful online units of work, activities to support each episode. interactive mapping app from Lonely parental involvement, and policies. Planet features quizzes and games SCIS no. 1753657 SCIS no. 1753613 relating to continents, countries, capitals, Showbie and flags. The app can be used on Roads to refuge www.showbie.com its own, or as a companion to Lonely www.roads-to-refuge.com.au Schools or teachers considering a Planet’s Amazing World Atlas book series. This comprehensive website offers move to paperless classrooms should The app is also available for Android teachers, students and the community investigate what Showbie has to offer. devices via the Google Play store. ‘access to relevant, factual and current This app can be used on all devices, and SCIS no. 1753810 information about refugees’. Content allows for the quick and easy distribution Crayola: for educators includes relevant definitions of refugees of documents, collection of assignments, and similar concepts, the journeys that and provision of feedback. The basic www.crayola.com.au/for-educators.aspx they take, and how resettlement occurs. plan is free, with paid versions offering This website offers an abundance It also provides news, initiatives, and additional features. of resources for teachers wishing to steps on how to get involved. incorporate creativity and the arts into SCIS no. 1753737 SCIS no. 1696317 everyday learning. Content includes UEB online: braille training articles, lesson plans, and other Robots for iPad for sighted learners inspirational activities. itunes.apple.com/au/app/robots-for- uebonline.org SCIS no. 1753629 ipad/id566581906?mt=8 Unified English Braille (UEB) was Instructables Robots for iPad is a great place to start for developed to ‘harmonise braille across teachers, students and parents hoping to codes and between English-speaking www.instructables.com delve into the world of robots. You will countries’. This online training program From 3D artworks to building a wooden encounter over 150 robots from around was created by the Royal Institute for clock, this fascinating website offers a the world, featuring videos, photos and Deaf and Blind Children’s Renwick multitude of imaginative projects with details on their specifications. The app Centre to teach sighted people UEB in the necessary instructions to complete offers tips on getting started with robotics, order to support vision impaired learners. them. Subject matter includes food as well as daily articles and news. recipes, crafts and costume designs, SCIS no. 1753768 SCIS no. 1737209 as well as biology, technology, WWF together engineering and woodwork projects. Safe schools hub itunes.apple.com/au/app/wwf-together/ SCIS no. 1300609 safeschoolshub.edu.au id581920331?mt=8 NASA app An initiative of the Australian Government, This multi-award winning app created Safe Schools Hub provides information by the World Wildlife Fund allows itunes.apple.com/au/app/nasa-app/ for parents, school staff and students students to learn about many of the id334325516?mt=8 to work together to build ‘safe and world’s fascinating animal species in an Created by NASA, this app contains supportive schools’. This website explores interactive and intriguing way. Using their details of current and forthcoming the National Safe Schools Framework, iPads, students can explore a variety of missions, on demand TV and radio, and offers professional learning modules absorbing scenarios, and can also enjoy images, videos, tweets, and news. It also for educators, as well as information for making origami animals using a selection features links to other NASA apps and students and parents to learn how they of different patterns. WWF Together is websites. This app is free and is also can help to make their school safe. also available on Android and Kindle Fire. available from the Google Play store. SCIS no. 1753673 SCIS no. 1753752 SCIS no. 1704759

12 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 Julie Styles Nicole Richardson Cataloguer, SCIS Communications & Projects Coordinator Education Services Australia Education Services Australia

What’s so special about Special Order Files?

SCIS subscribers looking to add digital subject headings — meaning that, unlike You can also limit results by searching for content to their library collection have Google, they can be found using precise keywords that appear in the title, author, the option to download bulk records subject and author searches. publisher, or URL fields. For example, from the Special Order Files page. if you are interested in the ABC Splash Websites and apps The Special Order Files page enables website, you can enter ‘splash’ in the SCIS is always looking for quality you to obtain quick access to batches ‘Search for text’ box. educational websites and apps to of records for new digital resources, catalogue. Each month we create including websites, apps, e-books, and catalogue records for up to 30 websites. content from a number of different Downloading these records regularly is providers. a simple way to add value and variety After you log in to SCISWeb, the Special to your library collection. Order Files page can be found on the Bear in mind that to download and install bottom navigation bar, second from apps on your devices, you may have to the left. register with Google or the iTunes store. Some apps may not be free, or may offer in-app purchases. E-books The Special Order Files page can be useful for schools that have an e-book subscription, allowing them to easily A drop-down list allows you to select browse recently catalogued e-books. a range of sorting options to further refine your search, including date Though many of the e-books that SCIS published, date catalogued, or Dewey catalogues can only be accessed if Decimal number. you have a subscription, we also catalogue free e-books, including many Special collections classic titles from Project Gutenberg In addition to websites, apps and (www.gutenberg.org). To find these, e-books, the Special Order Files page New electronic resources go to the SCIS catalogue and search also provides quick access to special In the ‘New electronic resources’ section, for ‘Project Gutenberg’ as a keyword. collections, including a range of free, SCIS subscribers can download records jurisdiction-based, and subscription- for all of the websites, apps or e-books Searching for electronic based services. SCIS has catalogued during a specific resources time period — many of which are Make your selection from the search Scan available for free. results by either choosing ‘Select all’ or Scan is a quarterly refereed journal manually choosing specific items. When produced by the NSW Department of Students are likely to turn to search you are satisfied, select ‘Process order’ to Education & Communities. Scan, like the engines such as Google to look for download the batch of records you have Connections ‘Website and app reviews’ resources for their assignments and requested through the regular SCISWeb regular feature article (see page 12), projects, where they can be inundated Orders page. reviews several free educational websites with thousands of unreliable or and apps in each issue. These records questionable results. Even if your physical A search for electronic resources defaults are available to all SCIS subscribers, collection is modest, these SCIS records to those catalogued in the previous and content from each issue can be can guide students and teaching staff month, but you can also specify a date downloaded in bulk via our Special directly to quality educational websites range of three months or less and select Order Files page. and apps via your library catalogue. the ‘GO’ button to re-run the search. Electronic resources are catalogued with authority-controlled author names and

Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 13 What’s so special about Special Order Files?

ClickView digital video library Australian subscribers can download information and links to over 130 topics SCIS creates records for digital videos a file of NDLRN resource records with considered of high interest to New produced by ClickView, an educational URLs that will open in Scootle Zealand schools. These records are streaming service that supports specific (www.scootle.edu.au). These resources available to all SCIS subscribers and curriculum objectives. Records are are also available to our New Zealand can be searched and selected in the grouped into primary or secondary subscribers with URLs that will open in same way as described above for new school resources. The first time you Digistore. You can download records electronic resources. They offer a great download ClickView records, choose the in batches relevant to both primary and and simple way to add value to your ‘Full’ file to get the complete collection secondary schools using the relevant reference collection and, best of all, they of Clickview records catalogued by adjacent ‘Process order’ button. are free. SCIS. From then on, you can download New Zealand Epic databases the update batches as they become The EPIC databases are available to all available. Download ClickView batches New Zealand schools (www.epic.org. by simply selecting the adjacent ‘Process nz/n4lschools). The SCIS records for the order’ button. available databases and their URLs can Please note that ClickView is a be searched and selected in the same subscription-based service, so it is not way as new electronic resources. accessible to all SCIS subscribers. Conclusion National Digital Learning The Special Order Files page provides Resources Network (NDLRN) your library collection with curated NDLRN provides access to interactive and relevant resources, many of which digital learning resources that are are free to access. By checking these available to all Australian and New National Library of New Zealand regularly, you can keep up to date with Zealand SCIS subscribers. If you are high interest topics digital resources that have been added to in a state that has its own local portal, New Zealand high interest topics the SCIS catalogue, and ensure that your you can access these resources via the are websites created by the National library is seen as the school’s digital hub. NDLRN resolver page. Alternatively, Library of New Zealand. They provide

Daniel Hughes Senior Project Manager Curriculum Resources and Pedagogies Education Services Australia Finding Scootle resources that support the Australian Curriculum The next time a distraught colleague the Australian Curriculum website or has its own code. For example, in Year comes to you asking, 'How on earth the 'Browse by Australian Curriculum' 8 Science, the content description that am I meant to teach this part of the tab in Scootle. addresses ‘Earth and space sciences’ Australian Curriculum?', consider is ACSSU153. pointing them in the direction of Using the Australian This code appears after the content Scootle resources. Most Scootle Curriculum website to description. If you select this code, resources support at least one Australian find resources a pop-up will appear, providing Curriculum content description, Every content description in the additional information about the cross-curriculum priority, or general Australian Curriculum content description, including further capability. They can be found using (www.australiancurriculum.edu.au)

14 Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 Finding Scootle resources that support the Australian Curriculum

Filtering results Two extra filters that You can also filter we haven’t seen resources using the before appear on 'Refine results by' this page: ‘General options on the capabilities’ and left-hand side of ‘Cross-curriculum the screen. For priorities’ (CCPs). example, if you These filters can select 'Learning be used to further object', 'Video', narrow your search elaborations, ScOT catalogue terms, and 'Collection', results, and only and links pointing to Scootle resources this reduces the appear when and Scootle Community. number of results accessing resources If you select the Scootle logo that sits to 94. via Scootle’s ‘Browse below ‘Discover resources’, you will be by Australian Alternatively, you taken to the Scootle website, where you Curriculum’ tab. can also filter by will be presented with resources that This gives you the selecting a specific are likely to support the relevant content opportunity to look for content that topic. For example, description. In this example, Scootle has focuses on a particular priority, such by choosing retrieved 135 resources (this number as ‘Sustainability’. 'Earth movements', is subject to change as new resources the number of are added to Scootle). The number retrievals will be of retrievals will be different for each reduced to 60. content description. Sorting results Using Scootle to find Thanks to the unfathomable intricacies Australian Curriculum of online search algorithms, some of resources the resources might be less relevant to your requirements than others. The good news is that Scootle’s default setting for ‘Sort’ is ‘Relevance’. When you have searched using a content description To continue our search, select ‘Year 8’. code, the results most relevant to Choose ‘Earth and space sciences’, and your search will appear under ‘Direct select ‘View matching resources’. matches’. Below this you will find ‘Other Instead of going to the Australian You are presented with the same list of related resources’, which may also be of Curriculum website, you can also find 135 resources you encountered when interest to your search. resources by selecting the ‘Browse by searching via the Australian Curriculum Another way to sort results is by Australian Curriculum’ tab in Scootle website. ‘Popularity’. If you select this option from (www.scootle.edu.au). Being able to search by Australian the ‘Sort’ menu, the resources will display Following the same example as above, Curriculum objectives is a valuable based on their frequency of use and how select ‘Science’ from the drop down menu. feature of Scootle. Using filters makes it they have been rated. easy to find resources that are relevant to teachers and students. It is simple and can be very rewarding.

Connections

Connections is a quarterly journal produced by the Schools Catalogue Disclaimer Information Service (SCIS), a business unit of Education Services Views and opinions expressed in Connections do not necessarily Australia. SCIS is committed to helping school library professionals reflect those of the editor, SCIS or Education Services Australia, keep abreast of the latest in information services and technology, as or imply endorsement by them. well as wider literacy and educational strategies. Current and past Copyright content is available online at www.curriculum.edu.au/scis © 2016 Education Services Australia Ltd, except where indicated otherwise. Terms of use Submissions and advertising Unless otherwise stated this material may be used, reproduced and Please forward inquiries to [email protected] and include communicated for non-commercial educational purposes, provided your contact details. you retain all copyright notices and acknowledgements. Connections Issue no.97 | Term 2 2016 15 SCIS provides a range SCIS of professional learning workshops and webinars to help Professional you get the most out of SCIS products and Learning services.

Upcoming workshops

In Term 2, SCIS is running workshops in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. These workshops are open to all school library staff. The workshop offers an in-depth understanding of how SCIS can support the provision of a more effective library service for school libraries. Participants will enhance their understanding of SCIS as a database of consistent catalogue records for educational resources that have been created to international standards.

Melbourne Brisbane Perth Tuesday 3 May Wednesday 1 June Friday 3 June 12.30–3.30pm 12.30–3.30pm 9.30am–12.30pm Education Services Australia O’Shea Centre Alinjarra Primary School Level 5, 440 Collins Street 19 Lovedale Street 33 Northumberland Avenue Melbourne, VIC 3000 Wilston, QLD 4051 Alexander Heights, WA 6064

The next round of webinars will be coming up in Term 3. Keep an eye on our website and on the next issue of Connections for more details.

For further details on our professional learning sessions, or to register, please visit the professional learning page on our website: www.curriculum.edu.au/scis/professional_learning.html

tel. 1800 337 405 www.curriculum.edu.au/scis